Senator John F. Kerry

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Senator John F. Kerry

John Kerry was born in Denver, Colorado on December 11, 1943. Kerry lived mainly in Massachusetts as a child, but his family moved several times while he was young.

Kerry went to Yale University and took classes in politics, and gave speeches on political topics. In his spare time, Kerry was on the fencing team, played soccer and took flying lessons. After graduating from Yale in 1966, Kerry joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years. Kerry was an officer in the Vietnam War and won several medals for his bravery and service.

In 1970, Kerry returned home and began speaking out against fighting in Vietnam. He became a well-known political activist, appearing on television and giving public speeches. In 1973, Kerry enrolled at Boston College Law School, and six years later, opened a private law office. In 1981 he ran for a local office in Massachusetts and in 1982 was elected Lieutenant Governor. In 1984, Kerry was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he has served since.

Kerry has long fought for environmental causes, social programs and the protection of women's rights, and other issues. This election is Kerry's first campaign for president. "I'm a thinking Democrat," Kerry told TIME magazine, explaining that he doesn't always take traditional positions.

Kerry has two daughters and is married to Teresa Heinz Kerry who has three sons.